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Ledbury rugby ace step closer to England U16s call-up

LEDBURY Rugby Club prospect Will Butler has been selected for the Midlands under 16s divisional squad with the possibility of eventual England age-group honours.

Following Herefordshire and North Midlands caps this season, Butler is the only player of his age from the county to make the grade and one of only 14 centres from across England to make a divisional squad.

Since joining Hereford Cathedral Junior School in year four, Butler has been a key sportsman there, making the most of all they have to offer from early coaching to playing in matches.

He has figured alongside his brother Ben in the blue and gold senior school first XV rugby shirt and it has proved quite a sporting journey.

Will Butler has been a regular member of Ledbury since under sevens tag level and is also in the Worcester Warriors' elite player development group.

He attended his first divisional development camp in late January and followed this up by attending the festival in early February where all England sides – the Midlands, north, south-west, London and south-east – came together.

During the festival, Butler and the Midlands squad were victorious over the south-west team.

The next divisional development camp in March and April's BMW Wellington International Festival will determine whether the teenager can add to his growing list of honours.

He hopes to make the full England under 16s team for their international fixtures against Italy under 17s and their Wales counterparts.

Paul Smith, Hereford Cathedral School headteacher, said: “This is a great honour for Will and a true testament to his dedication and work ethic – values that we witness from Will inside and outside of the classroom.

“I am delighted for Will and his family, and I wish him the best of luck for the next stages of selection.”

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